Tim Russert’s moderator chair was respectfully left empty on this morning’s “Meet the Press.” Instead of assembling around the table for the usual Sunday morning dissection of issues, a group of Russert’s friends and colleagues led by Tom Brokaw sat in front of the set, memorializing the man who took pride in the program and joy in politics.

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Extended viewing of MSNBC over the weekend might have led some critics to conclude the attention to the death of a newsman was self-indulgent and over done.

Russert was special, but did his death deserve the kind of coverage not seen since JFK’s assassination?

Fact is, NBC has the luxury of a sister network. And the cable news channel operates on the premise that viewers come and go, few watch for hours at a time.

Can you imagine any other network name warranting this kind of acclaim and admiration? A primetime hour Friday, a special “Today” edition Saturday, hours on MSNBC and “Meet the Press” Sunday. Peter Jennings got a primetime hour but, because ABC has no cable channel, his passing didn’t get the all-weekend treatment.

Was it too much? Just right? Simply a matter of timing–death on a Friday afternoon of a slow news weekend–or a reminder of NBC News’ strength as a brand? Frankly, I ate it up, but I’m not sure others will feel that way. Comments?

Joanne Ostrow has been watching TV since before "reality" required quotation marks. "Hill Street Blues" was life-changing. If Dickens, Twain or Agatha Christie were alive today, they'd be writing for television. And proud of it.